Anthony Joshua’s rematch with Usyk gets three venue options

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk says the venue for the highly-anticipated rematch with Anthony Joshua has been narrowed down to three options ahead of the fight likely to take place in the spring of 2022.

Joshua lost his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts to Ukraine’s Usyk on a unanimous points decision in front of a sell-out crowd at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said last month that the British boxer triggered his clause for a rematch against heavyweight rival Usyk and that the fight could take place as early as March.

“We plan to meet with Eddie Hearn within the next couple of weeks to initiate the rematch activities,’ Usyk’s promoter Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

“We have three options under consideration: the United Kingdom, Ukraine and the Middle East. Hopefully, by the end of 2021, we will be in the position to take the final decision.”

Usyk, who is undefeated in 19 professional fights, is also not impatient for an undisputed world championship title bout with fellow unbeaten heavyweight Tyson Fury, with Krassyuk saying: ‘Not at all. We were 100 per cent aware of the rematch clause, we gave our word and signed it on paper.

“There is no space for frustration, as things are going the way we planned them to go.

“Tyson has to prove his championship position by going through the mandatory. But this is up to him and his team. On our side, we keep focus on the rematch as the No 1 option.”

Meanwhile, Hearn told talkSPORT Joshua’s contingent would like the rematch to be held in the UK again.

“Sort of late spring is more realistic. We will speak to Alex Krassyuk and the team to nail down a potential venue for that fight.

“I would like it back in the UK. There are other options. We have had approaches to stage that fight around the world, but last time out was a massive spectacle and, obviously, this time is a much bigger fight.”